Chris Loehmer Kincaid's Blog, page 18

Turtles, turtles and more turtles

LastWednesday, when we had that rare day of beautiful weather in the Northwoods, Itook a walk with a friend through a local park, and we saw a few turtles.

Okay, it seemed like more than just a few. How many can you see in the picture above?

But I did manage to take pictures of things other than turtles.

Andas nice as those shots were, I kept coming back to the turtles. How many canthere be on three different small bodies of water within a quarter mile of eachother? 

God is Always Fair

God is fair. He will notforget the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his people.And he will remember that you are still helping them. (Hebrews 6:10, InternationalChildren’s Bible)

I know we all complain about stupid things sometimes. Weargue that things are unfair, that we worked as hard as someone else, and theygot all the credit. Or it’s not fair when a person we see as a bad sinner getsthe better things in life, while we try to always do what is right and feel wehave nothing to show for it.

And then we get so disgusted with life that we saythat God is not fair. And we almost agree with a nonbeliever who says that if Godwere real, then there would be no injustice.

No one said it would be easy and no one said that lifewould always seem fair. But in the end, no matter how we see things, God isalways just and always fair. He loves us more than we can imagine, and He reallydoes want the best for us.

And, in turn, we need only love Him back and then showothers how much we love them too.  

Another Day, Another Sale

Saturday,I attended another vendor sale, peddling my books and bags. The sale was justoutside of Two Rivers, which is a two-and-a-half-hour drive for me. Somehow, Imanaged to get there early (I’ll have to write that down in my miracle book).

Seeingas I had a few minutes, I drove to the end of the road. The actual location ofthe sale was Two Creeks and was on Two Creeks Road and at the end of the roadwas Two Creeks Park. They don’t want to confuse anyone by changing any names.

Right on Lake Michigan, the park was very small, mostly just a boat landing.

But you know me, I can find a beautiful picture where ever I am.  

On a lot of my pictures, I tweak the color just a little bit to make it pop, but I didn’t need to do that on this picture. Isn’t the color of the water amazing?

Then I turned around and there were all these pelicans in the water.

I got back to the sale and set up in plenty of time. Overall, it was a very nice day
  Thank you to the women who helped coordinate the sale and to all the other vendors who were so friendly. 

Happy Mother's Day

             If you can find a trulygood wife, she is worth more than precious gems!

She is a woman ofstrength and dignity and has no fear of old age. When she speaks, her words arewise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says. She watches carefullyall that goes on throughout her household and is never lazy. Her children standand bless her; so does her husband. He praises her with these words: “There aremany fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all!”

Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn’tlast, but a woman who fears and respects God shall be greatly praised. Praiseher for the many fine things she does. These good deeds of hers shall bring herhonor and recognition from people of importance. (Proverbs 31, verse 10 and verses25 through 31, Living Bible)

There is nothing I can add to that. Wishing mother’severywhere a blessed day today and every day. You deserve it!

My mom with my sister Pat and me in our pickup camper in 1967

Middleton Meanderings

Afterwe left the Farmer’s Market at the capitol last Saturday, we visited theMustard Museum in Middleton.

We walked around the main drag in Middleton for a bit. Naturally I found it fascinating, but restrainedmyself from taking a ton of pictures.

Thenwe ate brunch at the Hubbard Avenue Diner. Don’t you think it would be cute ifthey named it Old Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard?

Theselast pictures are from up on Capitol Square.

Hmm? I don’t think you have much choice but to wait for someone to seat you. 

Havea great weekend!

 

My State's Capitol

Lastweekend we took a ride to Madison for overnight and went to the Farmer’s Marketon the Capitol square. I’ve shared pictures and stories from there in the past.

ButI will forever be fascinated by the beautiful building which is home to my state’scapitol. 

 

Evil vs Good

 

Do not be overcome byevil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21, New International Version)

I couldn’t come up with anything witty or wise for today’spost. No long stories of how a Bible verse spoke to me. But sometimes, it’sbest to keep in simple.

Various groups of people have been protesting thefighting in the Middle East. They are either against Israel or Palestine, but Iwonder if either side knows the whole story. But that’s not for me to judge.

I found over fifty verses similar to the one above. I’mpraying that someday people get it.

A gentle answer turnsaway wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1, New InternationalVersion)

A Really Weird Analogy

Ihad already picked out all the pictures for this post, when I just now lookedback at whether or not I shared this a year ago. And I did, with all the samepictures. But never mind, you probably don’t remember.

Soanyway, I had thought about sharing that event from a year ago, but was like –maybe not. Until I started watching music videos this afternoon. My brain justgoes all over the place, doesn’t it?

Watchingrock bands perform always fascinates me. The drummer is always so animated andI have no idea how they do it. The main guitar player often is the lead singertoo, so all eyes are on him, unless he’s not the lead singer. If the leadsinger is not playing an instrument, he or she still interacts with the leadguitar player or even the crowd.

Thenthere’s the bass guitar player. Do you ever watch him or her play? Most of thetime they are in the zone, like they are playing their own song and it just happensto match what the rest of the band is playing. Like they aren’t even on stagewith their band and a cheering crowd of strangers singing along.

Haveyou ever noticed that? Or is it only me? If it’s only me, you will certainlymiss the whole analogy I’m about to make.  

One year ago, this past week, on April 30, my daughter’s dog Bleu died from blasto. It was horrible, but as a mom (and grandma to the pup), I was glad that I was able to be there for both of them.

 

The thing is Bleu always seemed to dance to the beat of a different drummer. Or in this analogy, to a different bass player.

My daughter always thought he was on the autism spectrum. Or maybe it was just the husky in him. But he wasn’t like the other dogs. His mind would be somewhere else, his thoughts not like the rest of his pack. He’d stare off in space looking at something no one else could see.

But it dawned on me today, that he was just a bass player. And every good band needs one.

We all still miss our Bleu. He is irreplaceable.

The First of May!

Lookat that! It’s the first of May. Time to get out and enjoy the sunshine and warmweather, whether it’s nice or not.

LastWednesday, the weather wasn’t too bad. Had to wear a sweatshirt outside, but atleast the sun was shining, so I took a ride.

First to Spirit Falls.

 

Then since it was on the way, I had to stop at the Spirit Cemetery because relatives are buried there.

 

I already have a bunch of pictures of this stone.

Finally stopped at Timm’s Hill, where I met a friend and we took a walk around Bass Lake. I can’t believe I didn’t get any pictures of the actual Hill. But again, I have many pictures of it.

Driving out, I passed Ring School and took the first picture I’ve ever taken of it. I don’t know it’s history, but I might have to try to track it down.

Hopefully the spring weather is nice where you are and you can get out, take a walk, and enjoy nature.

Oh, speaking of nature, I almost forgot. We did see three turtles on a log in a swamp, but two of them dove before I could my camera on them.

A Prayer for the Day

TheLord the Shepherd of His People - A Psalm of David.

   

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Hemakes me to lie down in green pastures;

Heleads me beside the still waters.

Herestores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness

ForHis name’s sake.

   Yea,though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

Iwill fear no evil; For You are with me;

Yourrod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Youprepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

Youanoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

   Surelygoodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;

AndI will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.  (Psalm23, New King James Version)

I’vehad multiple posts this year where I wrote about Bible verses we may havememorized, and I once mentioned the chapter in the Bible which many of us have committedto memory. Or at least we know most of it because we have heard it so manytimes!

Butwhat does the 23rd Psalm mean for us in the 21st century?

Ijust finished reading a book where the author asked what it would look like ifwe rewrote this chapter to fit our lives. Mine looks like this.

MyLord and God, my shepherd, my guardian. You always take care of me. You give mea bed to sleep in at night and water to quench my thirst. You give me strengthto get through each day and help me to do what is right when I wander. Evenwhen I am surrounded by darkness and evil, You walk at my side and keep mesafe. You provide me the food I need to eat and bless me with everything to satisfymy physical needs. Then You provide me with everything I need for my spiritual needs.You bless me more than I can ever say. Your goodness and love will be with me always,and when I leave my earthly home, I will have a home with You in heaven for alleternity. Amen.

Kindof a nice prayer to say each day. What would your's look like?